Soldering Torch Tips

For many jobs, the soldering iron alone will not create sufficient heat for soldering.

The proper use of a torch is essential to the soldering process. In most soldering applications, a soldering iron alone will not create sufficient heat to completely melt and fuse solder. As is the case with any home repair job, the key to proper soldering torch use is good preparation of your materials.

Equipment

Many types of soldering torches are available, each suitable for a specific range of home or industrial applications. Generally, the home repairman will be well served by either a butane or propane soldering torch. Butane torches are lighter than their propane cousins, but propane models are more powerful and are more appropriate for soldering copper water lines. Propane torches are available in both manual and automatic-ignition models. If you select a manual-ignition torch, buy a metal striker for igniting the torch. Strikers are safer and more reliable than matches, and you can use them repeatedly. You will also need protective goggles and gloves, a heavy long-sleeved shirt, a heat-resistant pad, solder, liquid flux, emery cloth, a small paintbrush, clamps and a soldering iron for painting solder into difficult-to-reach joints.

Preparation

Before applying heat to a joint with a soldering torch, it is essential to prepare the surfaces to be joined, ensuring a clean and lasting fit. If you are soldering pipe, clean both ends to be joined thoroughly with an emery cloth, removing any burrs and environmental contaminants. If you are soldering jewelry, soak the pieces in pickling solution (available at jewelry-making supply shops) before soldering. Try not to touch metal pieces after cleaning to avoid contamination with natural oils from your hands. Paint both surfaces to be soldered with a thin coat of liquid flux, which will further clean the metal, removing any oxidation. The flux will also improve the flow of your solder. Clamp the pieces together securely before applying solder. If you are soldering small parts, or pieces that are difficult to reach, pre-set your solder with a soldering iron. Melt a small piece of solder on the tip of a hot soldering iron, and carefully paint the solder into the joint before applying heat with a torch.

Torch Technique

Before lighting your torch, position a heat-resistant pad behind the joint area to protect the surrounding environment. To light a propane torch, open the gas-release valve and press the automatic ignition, or strike a manual striker in front of the nozzle (for manual-ignition models). Never light or operate a soldering torch without protective goggles and heat-resistant gloves. Adjust the flame of your torch so that it is about 1 1/4 inches long. The hottest part of the flame is the tip of the inner blue cone, so direct that part of the flame against the area to be joined. When heating a joint for soldering, do not apply a torch flame directly to the joint or directly to the solder. Instead, heat the metal around the joint, allowing the metal to conduct the heat into the joint and melt the solder.

References

• How to Solder Copper Pipe